According to a report, employees in India work for far longer hours than other employees across the globe. Those working in the cities put in 53 to 54 hours of work a week on an average.
The report by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) reveals that on an average, employees in India have the longest working hours. Even in the villages, workers work for 46 to 47 hours a week.
Most employees work for over 48 hours a week, which is far more than the limit set by ILO. As per ILO standards, over and above 48 hours a week is to be counted as ‘excess’. As per the Factories Act, 1948 of India, there is a limit of 48 hours a week beyond which the workers are eligible for overtime payment.
The survey reveals that approx. 74 per cent of urban men and 46 per cent of women put in more than 48 hours a week. Fifty-eight per cent rural men put in more than 48 hours a week, whereas 28 to 29 per cent urban men have worked for about 60 to 84 hours a week. Interestingly, almost 40 to 46 per cent women in the rural areas have put in less than 36 hours a week at work, probably due to household responsibilities.
It is reported that the average work hours— 46.4 and 46.3 hours respectively— in South Asia and East Asia, were the world’s highest in 2017.
Nepalese employees work for 54 hours a week whereas Bangaladeshi employees work for 47 hours a week. Workers in China and Malaysia put in 46 hours each.
